General Gaming Rollerdrome (stylistic third-person, single-player, arena rollerskating shooter for PC/PS4/PS5) - reviews from OpenCritic posted

[ShreddieMercury]

Didn't see a thread about this, but it looks phenomenal and comes out tomorrow!  It will retail at $30, but I believe it's $20 on Steam for a limited time, as well as on PS if you're a PS+ member.

 

Developed by Roll7 (OlliOlli games).  Single player (!!!) arena rollerskating shooter.  Looks like Tony Hawk + Jet Set Radio + Quake.  GOTY?

 

 

[best3444]

Pretty damn unique I'll give it that. 

[stepee]

This is going to be perfect for deck, getting it tomorrow.

[BloodyHell]

This game looks extremely interesting.

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

Game Information

Game Title: Rollerdrome

 

Platforms:

• PlayStation 4 (Aug 16, 2022)
• PC (Aug 16, 2022)
• PlayStation 5 (Aug 16, 2022)

 

Trailers:

 

 

 

 

 

Developer: Roll7

Publisher: Private Division

 

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 82 average - 85% recommended

 

Critic Reviews

CGMagazine - 10 / 10

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The Roll7 team have achieved an original greatness with Rollerdrome across the board: original concept, 80s nostalgia music and art—augmented with super fluid mechanics and gameplay.

Saving Content - 5 / 5

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Rollerdrome is simply brilliant, and a worthy contender for Game of the Year. The fact that we’ve gotten two banger games from Roll7 in the same year of this caliber is astounding. The precise controls are what Roll7 does best, coupled with intense combat is pure excellence. The leaderboard chasing among friends and enemies is why you’ll stay, but the Out for Blood mode will be the reason you don’t put it down. Rollerdrome is an exquisite mash-up of maintaining a combo while killing to survive that’s pure kineticism, the de facto “skate or die”.

God is a Geek - 9.5 / 10

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Rollerdrome is a phenomenal shooter that blends great combat and movement with a wonderful sense of progression, with stunning visuals and plenty of replayability.

PC Gamer - 94 / 100

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One of the best to ever do it. Rollerdrome is an action showstopper.

Bazimag - Persian - 9 / 10

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While final levels could have used more variety, Rollerdrome has made this genre mash-up look like a match made in heaven with a well-told story and addictive and action-packed gameplay combining some cool yet clever mechanics that will satisfy both skating and action-shooter fans.

GameByte - 9 / 10

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To put it simply: Rollerdrome is fantastic. It’s easily one of the coolest games I’ve played all year. Although there are a few missed opportunities here and there, the gameplay is continuously creative, the story alluring, and there’s never a dull moment.

GameGrin - 9 / 10

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Fast-paced, challenging, and visually pleasing, Rollerdrome is a game that deserves all the praise heaped upon it. Strap on your skates and load up those pistols, it's time to dive into this brilliant skater-shooter!

Geek Culture - 9 / 10

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At the end of the day, Rollerdrome achieves near-perfection when it comes to the gameplay experience, handing players the key to go as far as they want to in mastering its varied systems, all in the name of being the last one standing. It is a celebration of unique gameplay that works flawlessly on all accounts, and although the narrative is not important, its presence only serves as an added bonus for those who like their mayhem with added context. Even in such a bleak future, Rollerdrome will have you feeling good every time you put on those wheels, and that’s a guarantee.

Pure Dead Gaming - 9 / 10

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There are very few games this year that I have enjoyed as much as Rollerdrome. It may lack a proper story and be light on levels, but the moment-to-moment gameplay is nearly flawless. Because of this, there is plenty of replayability and challenges to work towards. The introductory price of £16.49 is a good deal and one I recommend everyone intrigued by this review, checks out!

The Independent - 9 / 10

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From its action to its slick presentation, everything about Rollerdrome screams “effortlessly cool” from the moment it ramps off. Its breakneck pacing and unabating stages make each victory feel well earned, and revisiting each feels like a mastery that verges on transcendental. 

It’s endlessly replayable and while its gradual difficulty demands a lot from players, none of it ever feels unfair, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Rollerdrome is another crack shot hit from Roll7 that will demand every ounce of your attention.

TheGamer - 4.5 / 5

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I’m not quite sure when it was decided that 2022 was the year of rollerskating, but it’s clear that it already has a champion in Rollerdrome. Although it may be short, its masterful movement and shooting are a shotgun blast to the face - and I mean that in the best way possible.

We Got This Covered - 4.5 / 5

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Rollerdrome is a beautiful creation. It’s DOOM Eternal meets Tony Hawk with thoughtful political ruminations and an art style to die for. We’re only about ten or fifteen bad years from a sport like this actually existing, so you might as well practice.

33bits - Spanish - 85 / 100

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Rollerdrome is addiction and adrenaline in its purest form, one of those games with a style as unique and personal as you don't usually see. The premise of mixing extreme sports with a shooter is great, to which is also added enough and varied content to encourage you to continue playing over and over again. Highly recommended.

COGconnected - 85 / 100

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Dexerto - 8.5 / 10

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Despite its lack of cooperative or PVP gameplay, I don't think it's hyperbolic to say that this is an essential game for 2022. Blending two opposing styles into an expertly executed bullet ballet, Rollerdrome's future is anything but dystopian.

Game Informer - 8.5 / 10

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Rollerdrome is a fantastic first foot forward. I adored the campaign gameplay and have a feeling my friend group will use this unique title for late-night scoring competitions.

PlayStation Universe - 8.5 / 10

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Rollerdrome is an incredible arcade shooter that combines fluid movement with addicting mechanical loops which encourage you to pull off visually appealing stunts with ease. Though your mileage may vary be you a high-score chaser or not, it never fails to be fun, and Rollerdrome is more than worth a look for any arcade shooter lover.

Worth Playing - 8.5 / 10

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Rollerdrome is a solid action game that merges shooting and sports quite well. The blend creates loads of exciting moments that only seem to falter during boss fights. The number of levels and challenges feels just right. The concessions made for all skill levels is appreciated, and the presence of leaderboards and a bonus campaign ensures that there's plenty of incentive to keep people playing. Overall, Rollerdrome is a great title for those looking for something different.

Everyeye.it - Italian - 8 / 10

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GameSpew - 8 / 10

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GameSpot - 8 / 10

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Developer Roll7 excellently mixes high-scoring skating gameplay with shooter ideas to make a hybrid game that's tough to put down.

GamesHub - 4 / 5

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My time with Rollerdrome was likely filled with more failed runs than successful ones, with long periods of exasperation after failing increasingly difficult stages, multiple times. But when everything clicks, and you’re in the zone – pulling off those perfectly timed shots and dodges, racking up enormous combos, performing ridiculous tricks, narrowly avoiding rockets, and nailing enemies straight between the eyes from 50 yards away to find victory – it’s so incredibly invigorating. Rollerdrome deals in style and hard-fought satisfaction, and getting Kara to the top is well worth the effort.

Hardcore Gamer - 4 / 5

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Rollerdrome effortlessly combines thrilling speed and adrenaline-inducing combat to create an exciting mashup of genres that will appeal to sports and action fans alike.

Hobby Consolas - Spanish - 80 / 100

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It's easy: if you like skate games like Tony Hawk's or Jet Set Radio and shooter games with clever mechanics and lots of spectacle, Rollerdrome it's the explosive combination you didn't know you needed.

Kakuchopurei - 80 / 100

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[Rollerdrome is] essentially is a thrill ride that comes with guns blazing, a reason to welcome crossbreeding between two genres, and a nod to classic 80s films with dystopian carnage marathons where the strong survive. Give [it] a spin; you'll be glad you did.

Push Square - 8 / 10

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If there's an award for game feel, Rollerdrome wins it by a country mile. Roll7 has crafted a short but supremely sweet experience that feels incredible to engage with.

Screen Rant - 4 / 5

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Players who fancy the challenge of shooting for the optimal run to attain a personal best may get sucked in, but those hoping for much beyond the eponymous sport won't find a deep narrative or character development to latch onto.

TheSixthAxis - 8 / 10

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With easy-to-grasp (but tricky to master) extreme sports, over-the-top arena combat, and a sublime audio-visual aesthetic, Rollerdrome deserves its place in the pantheon of 70s sci-fi sports fiction.

WellPlayed - 8 / 10

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Blending the momentum of an extreme sport with the action of a third-person shooter, Rollerdrome creates a unique experience that will resonate with those who love to chase a high score.

IGN Italy - Italian - 7.9 / 10

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Rollerdrome is an acrobatic shooter of undoubted value in terms of gameplay, frenetic and spectacular, thanks to its mix of armed clashes and tricks on roller-skate. In all the rest it fails to live up to Roll7's previous masterpieces, even if it remains a fresh gaming experience that can offer a good challenge.

Checkpoint Gaming - 7.5 / 10

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Rollerdrome is an unbelievably fun single-player experience that hasn't quite reached its full potential. The explosive gunplay and rollerskating trickery are complemented by the picturesque yet bleak world all realised in a graphic novel art style. However, improvements can be made with some of the enemy types, bosses, and the inclusion of other competitors. Despite room for growth, this game is clearly being made by one hell of a talented team and Rollerdrome proves to be one hell of a shooter.

Press Start - 7.5 / 10

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In what is effectively Tony Hawk's Pro Skater meets The Running Man in a war of attrition, full of guns and vibrant colour, Rollerdrome is a well-crafted arena combat-survival game set atop jam skates. Though as solid as the core loop is, the game is let down by a narrative that fails to measure up to the game's pulsating setting as well as a disappointingly sparse range of arenas that you'll see far too often.

Filmweb - Polish - 7 / 10

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„Rolledrome” is like „Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” on steroids. Just put your roller skates on and shoot some enemies! All of that with fantastic OST from Electric Dragon and fancy graphic straight from “XIII”.

Gamepur - 7 / 10

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My time with Rollerdrome was filled with ups and downs. The core idea is great, but it took a while for me to warm up to an extreme sports game that puts pressure on you to juggle multiple things at once.

TrueGaming - Arabic - 7 / 10

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Rollerdrome created a unique, stylish action game that new players can enjoy and demonstrate their skills at, while also bringing older fans some of the magic Roll7 has been known for over the year. We liked this experimental game but some aspects could be improved. The game feels like the start for something more rich to come in the future.

Gamefa - Persian - 6 / 10

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Rollerdrome combines different elements like parkour movements, shooting and skating into a smooth experience. That being said, Rollerdrome gets repetitive quite easily and lack of some in depth modes or features can be felt. Nevertheless, if you want to try shooting while doing some crazy stunt, give it a try!

Metro GameCentral - 6 / 10

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A sleek skating hybrid with plenty of compelling ideas and some stylish presentation, but the longer it goes on the more frustrating it becomes.

Console Creatures - Recommended

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Rollerdrome is an easy recommendation because what you get is exactly what is advertised. In a world of skater arcade games with glossy gimmicks, this game takes that of gunplay and makes it a slick, ultra-immersive experience.

Eurogamer - Essential

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Roll7 blends genres with total mastery in Rollerdrome, one of the most breathlessly stylish and casually, outrageously cool games you'll ever play.

One More Game - Buy

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Rollerdrome is made up of a smart mix of mechanics that gel together effortlessly, creating a game that's a blast to play while looking stylish to boot. With a boppin' soundtrack, slick visuals, and flawless controls, there's something here for the curious as well as the hardcore.

 

While the difficulty spikes up in some of the later levels, which could be a source of frustration to some, the game offers flexibility in approach that can prioritize effectiveness over style but also appeal to those skilled enough to take on a challenge.

Overall, Rollerdrome is another gem from Roll7 that will surely be a sleeper hit on many 2022 lists. There's very little that this title does wrong, all while creating a unique experience that makes it a must-play in between the big AAA offerings.

 

Washington Post - Unscored

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If a rollerskating John Wick in a 70s synth bar sounds like a good time, then I have just the game for you.

[best3444]

Looking good for those who are interested.

[stepee]

Anyone else pick this one up? It has a launch sale price of $20 so I made sure to day one it.  i only played a couple hours so I’m not sure how the gameplay loop holds up, but I can confirm that the controls are *tight*, which is obviously key for this sorta thing.

 

You have to do a lot of moving your hands around to perform all the actions, it’s a game that definitely benefits from the back buttons on the deck. Speaking of deck, it’s also a game that benefits from extra AA and it still gives you a good three hours if you have it set to run at 1080p downsample at 60fps, so I recommend that on deck.

 

One thing that made the concept of how it works make more sense to me is that you get ammo by doing tricks, so that is your motivation to incorporate flashy tricks as you shoot down the enemies. There are also challenges like in a Tony Hawk game that will help the longevity. 
 

One thing I’m not sure on is you can’t really fall, there doesn’t seem to be much penalty for not landing straight, etc. But with its combined focus on arena shooting and using tricks for ammo, it might have been too frustrating if you could fail and fall down while trying to reload.

 

Controls are great and super responsive, which is the main thing. I’ll have to see how pulling off long combos works better here and if that can pull me in tony hawk style or not.

[Brian]

 

[Bloodporne]

Apparently it's unfortunately a mega bomb on Steam right now. Peak player count was 380 and it's down from that even from what I just read. 

 

Skill Up is 100% my favorite review outlet and I have yet to buy a game he highly recommended that wasn't great. 

[Xbob42]

41 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

Apparently it's unfortunately a mega bomb on Steam right now. Peak player count was 380 and it's down from that even from what I just read. 

 

Skill Up is 100% my favorite review outlet and I have yet to buy a game he highly recommended that wasn't great. 

While still not incredible numbers at just 3.4k or so, the followers of the game had a very sharp upturn over the last day and a half. And I'm one of them. Would've picked it up myself but gaming budget is busted for the next week.

[Brian]

@stepee how’s the deck performance?

[Bloodporne]

23 minutes ago, Xbob42 said:

While still not incredible numbers at just 3.4k or so, the followers of the game had a very sharp upturn over the last day and a half. And I'm one of them. Would've picked it up myself but gaming budget is busted for the next week.

Oh that's nice to hear! I'm absolutely rooting for the game. I'll pick it up soon, just haven't been playing much and about to go on vacation.

[stepee]

4 hours ago, Bloodporne said:

Apparently it's unfortunately a mega bomb on Steam right now. Peak player count was 380 and it's down from that even from what I just read. 

 

Skill Up is 100% my favorite review outlet and I have yet to buy a game he highly recommended that wasn't great. 

 

Honestly I don’t think it helps that steam seemingly buried this. When I went to buy it yesterday I searched through every section on the regular store front, new releases, deck storefront, nothing, had to search for it finally to buy it. It’ll need word of mouth that’s for sure.

 

3 hours ago, Brian said:

@stepee how’s the deck performance?

 

Maximum settings, perfectly solid 60fps. I changed screen res to 1080p in game properties to downsample for extra AA, still get about 3 hours like that, probably could do 1440p downsampled. Deck destroys with these indie games that we used to have to worry about on switch.

 

[Xbob42]

4 hours ago, stepee said:

 

Honestly I don’t think it helps that steam seemingly buried this. When I went to buy it yesterday I searched through every section on the regular store front, new releases, deck storefront, nothing, had to search for it finally to buy it. It’ll need word of mouth that’s for sure.

 

 

Maximum settings, perfectly solid 60fps. I changed screen res to 1080p in game properties to downsample for extra AA, still get about 3 hours like that, probably could do 1440p downsampled. Deck destroys with these indie games that we used to have to worry about on switch.

 

I think it's weirder than that, because I first spotted it on popular upcoming, and then ever since it came out it's been on New & Tranding/Top Sellers for me, as well as in my recommended carousel.

 

[BloodyHell]

This game is a lot of fun. I don't think it will hold my interest for very long, because im playing a ton of other stuff, but it's a cool game, and great on the deck. 

 

10 hours ago, stepee said:

 

Honestly I don’t think it helps that steam seemingly buried this. When I went to buy it yesterday I searched through every section on the regular store front, new releases, deck storefront, nothing, had to search for it finally to buy it. It’ll need word of mouth that’s for sure.

 

 

Maximum settings, perfectly solid 60fps. I changed screen res to 1080p in game properties to downsample for extra AA, still get about 3 hours like that, probably could do 1440p downsampled. Deck destroys with these indie games that we used to have to worry about on switch.

 

I wonder if the reason it wasn't on the Steamdeck front page because it isn't Steamdeck verified? Because I had the exact same experience, but when I look on my PC, it's right on the trending games. 

[Moa]

This game is pretty fucking sick. My only concern is that it doesn't seem super content heavy. The content that is there seems very replayable since it's all about getting into that Tetris-like flow, but there's nothing wrong with having more levels either.

 

I feel like this game is in a very similar niche to the recently released Neon White, and if I had to place my vote I'm on team Rollerdrome.

 

Shill Up's comparison to the recent DOOM games is pretty apt.

[ShreddieMercury]

On 8/17/2022 at 10:08 AM, stepee said:

Anyone else pick this one up?

 

You bet I did.  And it's phenomenal.

 

It's an extremely tight, fun, and challenging genre hybrid that has the all-encompassing and uncompromising style of a Dreamcast game, and it's probably the most immediate and fun game I've played in 2022.

 

I do think the comparison to Doom Eternal makes sense, mostly for the fact that the whole game is really about prioritizing targets and getting into a flow of refilling ammo and health after downing enemies.  What sets it apart though is the focus on high scores and the way that the combo meter works.  Every enemy you eliminate adds a level to your combo meter, which then starts draining until you take out the next one.  It drains slowly enough that it incentivizes wanting to keep it up as much as possible.  The game's mechanics are superb out of the gate, but once I started thinking about how to maximize my combo through tricks, shooting, and clever movement around the arena, it took on a whole other dimension.

 

I was initially worried about the auto aiming, but it's very well done and in the context of everything else that you have to contend with, it's a smart design choice.  I also think that the difficulty is pitched perfectly.  It's very challenging at first, but once you learn what the game wants you to do, it becomes exhilarating to manage the level effectively.  Props to the fantastic soundtrack as well.

 

This is the type of immediate, arcade-style, easy to pickup but challenging to master game that they quite literally don't make anymore.  I feel quite fortunate that this game exists in 2022.

[stepee]

I’ve decided this game is very good. I’m on the second set of levels now and the core gameplay loop holds up better and better as I play more. I’ve decided that not having your player fall down was the right call, it would just slow things down.

 

I like the tiny bit of exploration they give you between levels sometimes to get you into the stylish world the game exists in. The music is great.

 

I do have another gripe though, there are too many sniper shots. The frequency of targeted sniper shots you need to dodge is too often and I find it gets in the way of doing other actions that are more fun. Like I’ll be doing sweet moves and knocking fools down but I keep getting what is essentially just a prompt to hit “b”, and it gets in the way of my flow. Nothing wrong with how it works generally, I just wish the frequency was cut by like 3/4th honestly. I just gave myself more damage so I don’t have to worry about it as much, yay for accessibility options.

[skillzdadirecta]

I played the trial last night and I'm definitely going to grab this. Game feels very good to play and I love the style.

[skillzdadirecta]

Played q couple more rounds this morning. I'm hooked. Perfect pick up and play game. I wonder if they're gonna do a SWITCH version. Seems perfect for mobile.

[stepee]

26 minutes ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Played q couple more rounds this morning. I'm hooked. Perfect pick up and play game. I wonder if they're gonna do a SWITCH version. Seems perfect for mobile.

 

It’s a great game to play while watching tv that’s for sure. It went great with Barry! Switch version has to be coming, they could get this at 60fps there, I don’t know why it isn’t at launch as you are right.

 

This will be two great overlooked games by this team this year because y’all slept on Oli Oli World which is easily one of the best games this year.

[ShreddieMercury]

5 hours ago, stepee said:

I’ve decided this game is very good. I’m on the second set of levels now and the core gameplay loop holds up better and better as I play more. I’ve decided that not having your player fall down was the right call, it would just slow things down.

 

I like the tiny bit of exploration they give you between levels sometimes to get you into the stylish world the game exists in. The music is great.

 

I do have another gripe though, there are too many sniper shots. The frequency of targeted sniper shots you need to dodge is too often and I find it gets in the way of doing other actions that are more fun. Like I’ll be doing sweet moves and knocking fools down but I keep getting what is essentially just a prompt to hit “b”, and it gets in the way of my flow. Nothing wrong with how it works generally, I just wish the frequency was cut by like 3/4th honestly. I just gave myself more damage so I don’t have to worry about it as much, yay for accessibility options.

 

I agree, the second set of levels where you get the grenade launcher is where the game starts to truly shine I think.  I thought the same about the sniper shots at first, but then I realized that when you execute a perfect dodge (when the laser beam goes white), and then immediately go into slow motion ("reflex time" or something similar), the screen turns blue and you get a fairly large damage boost with your weapons.  Utilizing the sniper shots to eliminate certain enemies faster then becomes a really valuable element of your tool set, and they are essential to keeping your combo meter up if you're going for the score challenges.

[stepee]

1 hour ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

 

I agree, the second set of levels where you get the grenade launcher is where the game starts to truly shine I think.  I thought the same about the sniper shots at first, but then I realized that when you execute a perfect dodge (when the laser beam goes white), and then immediately go into slow motion ("reflex time" or something similar), the screen turns blue and you get a fairly large damage boost with your weapons.  Utilizing the sniper shots to eliminate certain enemies faster then becomes a really valuable element of your tool set, and they are essential to keeping your combo meter up if you're going for the score challenges.

Thanks for the tip on using perfect dodge in that context, that makes sense and I’ll pay attention to how I’m using it. What do you usually attack with after a perfect dodge then, the grenade launcher?

[ShreddieMercury]

4 hours ago, stepee said:

Thanks for the tip on using perfect dodge in that context, that makes sense and I’ll pay attention to how I’m using it. What do you usually attack with after a perfect dodge then, the grenade launcher?

 

The damage boost works for all weapons, so it depends, but generally I've been using the pistols or the grenade launcher depending on the enemy.  The low level grunts are one hit from the shotgun regardless (and only 4 or 5 from the pistol I think), so you don't need to worry about them as much in terms of planning perfect dodges.  For the riot shield dudes, I will try to get a perfect dodge/reflex and then use both grenade shots which should take them out.  Same thing with the rocket launcher guys.  Snipers will also go down with one hit from the grenade launcher even without the reflex boost.  It's sort of a dance to try and figure out who you should take out and when. 

 

Generally, my strategy has been to learn the level and where the combo tokens are first.  Then I'll go through and clean up the easy challenges.  After I've done most everything in the level, then I'll try and beat it and then replay it until I get both high score challenges.  My one complaint so far is that the challenges in general are pretty generic and don't expand your knowledge of/force you to experiment with the level in the same way that something like THPS does.  It really is a high score/flow game more than something that provides unique challenges based on the level design.  The stages are really well laid out in regard to combat, but it's not super interesting to do a certain trick or grind or collect all the tokens in the level since it's so obvious and easy.